Chapter 5: The Blood Moon

When I came out of the bedroom, dressed and ready to go, Cruz gasped as he let out a low whistle. "Wow! You clean up pretty good."

I smirked. "Thanks. So do you."

"Ready?" He raised an eyebrow.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I started to grab my little black clutch purse, but Cruz stopped me.

"You won't need that," he replied. "It'd probably be something more to keep up with at the bonfire. I want you to just relax and enjoy yourself tonight when we get there."

"Okay." I was wearing my Smartwatch so I had cell phone access, just in case I needed it. I had a feeling that Cruz wasn't telling me everything, but I had decided that tonight was my night to do something wild, and I wasn't about to back down now. Besides, how much trouble could you get in to at a bonfire?

He offered me his hand, and when we walked outside a new sports car was parked in the driveway.

"Wow! Nice car." I smiled, taking it in as I headed to the passenger side.

Cruz followed me around the car and opened the door for me. "I just got it not long ago." He shrugged. "Thought I'd break it in tonight."

I froze, not liking his meaning. "Look... I think this was a mistake—" There was no way that I was having sex with him in the back of his car.

"No, no...." He chuckled, shaking his head. "I didn't mean like that. I just thought we'd go in style is all."

I nodded. "Okay. But we just met and—"

"I get it," he said, closing the door behind me. He was in the driver's seat a moment later and the car roared to life. "But I have to warn you about something first."

"Uh oh," I said. "Here it comes." At least he was telling me now while we were still in my driveway.

He laughed, shaking his head. "No, it's just that my friends can get a little wild... especially at a Blood Moon Celebration." He bit his upper lip and then released it. "You might see some things. And if you don't want to participate, then that's fine. Whatever you feel comfortable with."

I nodded as my smile faded. "Hey, I'm not into drugs or anything—"

"No, no drugs. But there will be some alcohol," he replied. "It's a singles mixer and you might see some things that you don't feel comfortable with. And if you want to leave, just let me know. Also, it'd be best to stay with me tonight. I won't let anything happen to you... unless you want it to."

I nodded, having no idea what he was talking about. But my curiosity was already piqued, and I wasn't backing out now. I wanted to do something wild and this was it. "Well, what are we waiting for?"

He chuckled. "Okay, let's go." He slid the car into gear, and we were on our way a few minutes later.

I looked out the window and darkness had already fallen over the earth. "Man! It's a gorgeous night. Perfect to see the Blood Moon."

He nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, it's going to be fun. Just stick with me and I'll keep you safe."

I nodded as a crease formed between my eyes. "What? Are your friends psychos or something?"

Cruz chuckled, shaking his head. "No, but it can get pretty wild."

Everything from wild drunken brawls to fights to orgies went through my mind. But even though there was something about him that I trusted, I wasn't going to put my life on the line just to have a good time. Thank goodness I have my Smartwatch on, just in case Cruz and I get separated or anything happened.

"Thanks." I may not be thanking him after tonight, but we shall see.

We drove through a forest road, obviously part of the oasis, and then pulled down a long dirt road. A moment later, the bright glow of a bonfire shone ahead beside a huge Victorian mansion, probably the size of six regular houses.

"This is gorgeous!" I said. "I'm surprised I haven't seen this before."

"We keep pretty private." Cruz smiled proudly. "This is our Compound."

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. "Seriously? You live here?"

He nodded as he pulled the car to a stop in a parking lot a short distance away. "Wait here."

I did as he asked, and he opened my door a moment later and offered me his hand. As we walked up, he placed his hand on the small of my back, escorting me up to what looked to be a high-end, exclusive outdoor party.

People were dressed up a bit, like we were, and everyone had drinks, but nothing looked out of the ordinary. I looked up and the eclipse hadn't happened yet, but the night was clear, and the moon was gorgeous.

"Hey," he said to a guy when we walked up. "This is Kalyssa Carran. She's a veterinarian."

The man he was introducing me to almost lost his beer. "Seriously?"

Cruz smirked. "Kalyssa, this is River Styles."

I gave him a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

River took my hand and kissed it, never taking his eyes from mine. "The pleasure is mine." Then he looked over at Cruz. "So, how did you two meet?"

Cruz chuckled. "You don't want to know."

A sly smile spread across my lips, unable to resist. "He broke into my house last night."

River burst out laughing. "You have got to be kidding me!"

One corner of Cruz's lips curled into his impish grin that I was already becoming accustomed to. "It's a long story."

"Yes, I'd bet it is," River agreed. "Want a beer?"

"I'll take a glass of wine, if you have it," I said.

"I'll get it," Cruz said and then placed his hand on the small of my back, leading me to the bar.

The bartender's lips curled into a sexy grin. Man! Every man—and woman—in this place was drop dead gorgeous. It was like a soiree for supermodels.

"So, what can I get for you?" the bartender asked. He had dark hair and his eyes were so penetrating that it was almost scary. And he, too, was so gorgeous it hurt.

"What do you have?" I asked, acting casual.

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's a full bar, so surprise me."

"A frozen mango margarita?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking or telling me?"

I scoffed, my smile fading, not about to let this guy intimidate me. "Just red wine then."

In my peripheral vision, Cruz shook his head slightly at the bartender.

"No, I was only joking," the bartender replied. "One mango margarita coming up!" Then he turned away to do our bidding.

Suddenly, I felt someone watching me. My head snapped up and on the other side of the bonfire, two gorgeous men were staring at me, making no bones about it. Sexy, gorgeous women were flocking around them. But then again, the men were, too, leaving me to wonder who they were.

One had dark blonde hair with sun streaks, cropped short, and muscles for days. The other man had light brown hair with natural sun streaks, too, golden in the firelight. Both men turned their crystal blue eyes to me. The brunette held up his beer, nodding a greeting.

Power emanated from both men, leaving me to wonder If this was a mafia and if they were some of the higher-ranking men, or maybe their bosses. But I quickly pushed the thought aside, turning my attention back to Cruz.

I smiled, knowing I should feel a bit uncomfortable in this place, but somehow, I didn't.

I turned away and Cruz took me around the bonfire, introducing me to everyone.

"So, what pack are you from?" a woman asked.

"Pack?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ahh..." she said, taking a swig of her beer.

"Kalyssa, this is Eve Cooke," Cruz said. "Eve, Kalyssa."

"Charmed, I'm sure." One corner of her lips curled into a smile, biting her lip as she looked me over.

"Here you go!" The bartender gave me a wink as he set a margarita on the counter.

"Thanks." I gave him a polite smile and then turned to Eve. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you." When I moved away, the two men across the bonfire followed me with their eyes, leaving me to wonder why I felt their gaze. One smirked, lifting his beer to me in a long-distance toast.

Cruz stood in front of me with his beer, blocking the view between me and the two men across the way. Red, orange, and yellow hues reflected off the fire, giving an intimate, sensual feel to the night. I guessed it was fitting for a Blood Moon.

"So, what do you do for a living?" I asked Cruz, realizing that I should have asked before now. But then again, we had only just met.

"I'm the handler for Diamond Cars, one of our businesses," Cruz replied, his eyes filled with interest.

My head snapped up. "Handler?"

"Manager," he corrected, turning his attention back to me. "We have many businesses."

I felt eyes burning into me and when I looked up, the same two men were watching me, smiling, as if sizing me up for the hunt. They both smiled and then the blond whispered something to the brunette.

Then someone turned on music... not just any music... tribal music. Soon, party goers started swaying to the music. But I tried to ignore it. Above, the moon shone brightly adding another layer of light to the party.

"We?" Then what Cruz had said brought me back to the present. "Is this a motorcycle club?"

Cruz smirked, lifting an eyebrow. "Do you see any motorcycles?"

I looked around and there was one parked near the house. "Yeah. That one."

Cruz took the margarita from my hand and set it on a nearby table. Then he stood behind me and placed his hands on my waist, swaying his body to the music, too. Then he leaned down and kissed the tender skin of my neck just under my ear. "That's River's. He likes motorcycles." Then he turned his attention back to my neck again.

"What about the Red Moon?"

"The Blood Moon?" he corrected, kissing my neck again.

"Uh huh." I was suddenly having a hard time remembering what I was talking about.

"What about it?" He was standing so close I could feel his eagerness pressed against me through my dress. Then he raised my arm and placed it around his neck from behind.

"Isn't this a Blood Moon Party?" I asked as he kissed slowly down my neck.

"Yes." His voice was low and sexy. "It is."

I looked around and everyone was swaying to the music, bumping and grinding, kissing and fondling, but it was sensual and erotic, the most erotic moment of my life, leaving me to wonder what I'd just gotten myself into... as the moon above us suddenly turned blood red.